Kamloops councillors will have their first in-person meeting since the pandemic started when they meet next month.

Council has approved relocating to the Valley First Lounge at the Sandman Centre.

That means Emergency Social Services will have to move out of there to McArthur Island.

“It’s very unfortunate that (ESS) has to be displaced. But, again, that was the best location by far, as far as administration was concerned with respect to where council could relocate to,” civic operations director Jen Fretz says.

“It’s unfortunate that the city doesn’t have more larger facility spaces. I think the pandemic has certainly opened our eyes to the need for bigger spaces. ESS has done a great job in setting up at Sandman, and I think they’re very comfortable there. They’re very efficient there and they’re working really well.”

It will cost the city between $15,000 and $25,000 to relocate council meetings from council chambers to the Valley First Lounge, mostly because of technological requirements for council meetings.

Council has not met with all members in-person since March 10, which was days before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. Council members voiced concerns that having half of council partake by video is not a viable way to have discussions and conduct city business.

The city has also asked the Thompson Nicola Regional District, the Kamloops-Thompson School District and Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc if any are interested in using the space as well at the Valley First Lounge.